The Hooper Sentinel
Jan. 19, 1933

Mrs. Jos. Stecher Called By Death Slowly, but surely, the real
pioneer residents of this community are, being called to their
eternal rest, and this week it becomes our duty to chronicle the
passing of one who has been a resident of the locality since 1861.
This is Mrs. Joseph Stecher, who passed away about 3 o'clock, Sunday
after noon, January, 15, 1933, at the old farm home, the present
home of her son, Louis, about four miles northeast of Hooper. An
illness of a week which developed into pneumonia was the cause of
her death. Previous to that time she had enjoyed good health. She
passed away at the age of 79 years, 9 months and 26 days, and of the
original family that came to Nebraska in the early days, Mrs.
Stecher was the last.

As Rose Catherine Elizabeth Wagner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George
Wagner, she was born on March 19, 1853 in Cleveland, Ohio. When a
child of three she went with her parents to Madison, Wisc., residing
there until 1861. On April 1st of that year the family in company
with the Schwab family started for Nebraska by ox team arriving here
on July 4. The trip, while a hard and tedious one, was, however,
filled with much to interest a girl of eight years and according to
a sketch give by her at the unveiling of the Logan Mills monument in
1930 was also filed with impressions that remained with her the rest
of her life. The hardships of the trip and the rigors of the early
winters moulded a depth of character in the pioneers which is
difficult to find among the present day people. Her first home in
this community was an abandoned two room log cabin about a mile from
the Logan Mills that was shared for a time by both the Wagner and
Schwab families. Her father then pre-empted a 160 acre claim which
he later homesteaded and on which a log house was built in 1862.
From then on this county has been her home and among its people she
had become beloved and widely known.

Her marriage to Joseph Stecher took place at Fremont on February 6,
1878. Following the marriage they located on the farm now the home
of her son, Louis. Here she and Mr. Stecher resided until seventeen
years ago when they retired from farm life to enjoy a well earned
rest and moved to Fremont. Four months ago they came back to the old
familiar landmarks and took up their home in Winslow, but death
destined her not to remain long amid the circle of her old time
friendships. As a wife and mother Mrs. Stecher was ever devoted to
her family, as a friend ever faithful and helping and as a resident
always held in the highest esteem by all. Her passing is sincerely
regretted by everyone who knew her and all extend sympathy to the
family in their loss.

She was the mother of four sons, two having preceded her in death,
Frank in infancy and Francis in 1928. Surviving sons are Lester of
Potter and Louis of Hooper, who with the father now mourn the
passing of a much beloved mother and wife. Four grandchildren also
survive her. Following her death her body was taken charge of by the
Wolmer & Warne mortuary service until the day of the funeral. This
was yesterday with short services first being held at 1:30 at the
Louis Stecher farm home and at 2 O'clock from the Grace Lutheran
church, in which faith she had been reared and maintained. An
audience that filled the church was present to pay their tribute to
the memory of this beloved woman and pay heed to the words of
comfort as pronounced by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Moeller. Interment
was made in the Logan cemetery, which is a part of the original
Wagner homestead and in which her father, who passed away in 1865,
was the first interred.hhw - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-The Schwab and Wagner journey from Wisconsin to Nebraska in 1861 as
told by Mrs. Rose Wagner Stecher:

We started April 1st from Madison and landed in Nebraska on July
4th. Travelled with oxen and covered wagon. We found an abandoned
loghouse about one mile from Logan mill. It had one room below and
one room above. It was not plastered. Both families moved in. There
were six of us and five of the Schwabs. During fall and winter
Schwabs built their house on land that is still owned by their
grandson, Harry Schwab. We lived in rather close quarters the first
winter. There were two stoves, two beds, tables and chairs besides a
large chest that was used as a cupboard. While we travelled for
three months we only had the stove out twice for washing. All we
lived on was toasted bread and milk. Mother toasted bread all
winter. Many sacks were filled. We had two cows. Milk was put in a
large jar. So it was the same bill of fare every day including some
cured meat of our own. We found only two places where we could buy
food. One of them had only potatoes and the other had eggs. We
bought a large wash basin full of eggs for five cents. Many a day we
traveled from four in the morning until sun down with no water all
day, oxen and cows having their tongues hanging out of parched
mouths. More than once we expected to die from thirst and heat. We
did not have much milk as cows traveling all day could not give
milk. I was eight years old but that scene was stamped on my memory
where it will remain until death erases it.

During the winter we had heavy snows and blizzards. The older boys
slept upstairs on feather beds, no beds. They were often covered
with several inches of snow mornings. My father George Wagner pre-
empted 160 acres which he afterwards homesteaded. In 1862 we built a
loghouse. In 1864 father was taken sick and the nearest town was
Omaha. No chance to get a doctor. Sixty miles is a long distance
when oxen were the only conveyance to travel with. It took a week
for the round trip. There were no cemeteries in those days, so
father gave 2 acres from his homestead for the Logan Cemetery. He
died March l4, 1865 and was the first man buried there. The snow was
very deep and there was no place to get a coffin. We had to make one
out of cottonwood boards that were sawed near Logan Mill. We had
only a common saw and no plane. It was made coffin shape top and
bottom alike. They painted it with ashes and water. A great
difference between coffins then and now. I think people were more
satisfied then with our simple ways than now with all the splendor
and high living.hhw